Peach tree named ‘FLATPRINCESSE’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of flat peach tree, denominated ‘FLATPRINCESSE’, has a very high regular productivity and has the same good fruit quality as other varieties: ‘MAILLARFLAT’ ‘FLATPRETTY’ ‘FLATQUEEN’ ‘FLATNICE’.

This application claims priority of Community plant variety right No.2005/0903 filed on May 18, 2005 which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

Botanical classification: Prunus persica L. Batsch—White Flat peach.

Variety denomination: ‘FLATPRINCESSE’.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of Prunuspersica L. Batsch white flat peach tree. This new tree, named‘FLATPRINCESSE’, produces very long lifetime, good eating quality,semi-freestone flesh fruit for fresh market in August in the 66—Pyrénées Orientales departement—France. Contrast is made to‘MAILLARFLAT’ flat peach, standard varieties, for reliable description.‘FLATPRINCESSE’ is a promising candidate for commercial success in thatit has a very high regular productivity and has the same well fruitquality as other varieties: ‘MAILLARFLAT’ (unpatented), ‘FLATPRETTY’(pending U.S. Plant Pat. application No.11/434,796), ‘FLATQUEEN’(pending U.S. Plant Pat. application No.11/434,799) and ‘FLATNICE’(unpatented).

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

‘FLATPRINCESSE’ flat peach tree originated in a cultivated area of thesouth of France, in the 66 —Pyrénées Orientales department—France whereit was tested. This place is under a Mediterranean climate in atemperate area characterized by irregular and low precipitation withdrought in summer, high temperatures all year long.

The ‘FLATPRINCESSE’ variety was obtained by open-pollination of the‘MAILLARFLAT’ (unpatented) variety. ‘FLATPRINCESSE’ was provisionallydesignated and tested as 02.03.21 PBPL and is registered at the OfficialCatalogue of the Agriculture Ministry of the French Republic December29, 2004 under number 1016569. It was obtained from open-pollination andis propagated by grafting. It has been determined to have unique treeand fruit characteristics making it worthy for commercial fresh fruitproduction. There are no known effects of standard rootstock on thisscion cultivar. Asexually propagated plants remained true to theoriginal tree and all characteristics of the tree and the fruit weretransmitted. The plant was reproduced asexually by us in Les Régalines,Route d'Alenya, La Prade de Mousseillous, 66200 ELNE, PyrénéesOrientales, France.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of ‘FLATPRINCESSE’ flat peach tree bloomsin March at Perpignan in the Pyrénées Orientales departement, France.More particularly, it blooms at the same time as the MAILLARFLATvariety, between 7th and 21st of March.

The first fruit of ‘FLATPRINCESSE’ ripens in August, 18 days after‘MAILLARFLAT’. More particularly, it approximately ripens between August16th and 25th

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawing, which are as nearly true as it isreasonably possible to make in a colour illustration of this type:

FIG. 1 is a colour photograph which shows the flesh of the fruit of thenew variety ‘FLATPRINCESSE’.

FIG. 2 is a colour photograph which shows a typical specimen of thefruit of the new variety ‘FLATPRINCESSE’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The tree, flowers, and fruit may vary in slight detail due to variationsin soil type, cultural practices, and climatic condition. The potentialfor commercial production of fresh fruit by ‘FLATPRINCESSE’ is high, dueto its fruit early ripening, and fruit evenness of maturity.

Trees are very vigorous and medium stature half-standing in asemi-upright out aspect. The flowering shoot is present excludingbrushwoods side away from sun. Flowering begins semi-late in springtime.The type of flower is with relative medium petal size. Petals are MediumPink. Three or four leaf glands are present and reniform. Time ofmaturity for consumption is late. The fruit flesh is white and its skinpresent a red-blush color. The stone is small size and the flesh issemi-clingstone.

Compared to ‘MAILLARFLAT’ variety, ‘FLATPRINCESSE’ has an older time ofmaturity, 18 days later. Fruits are red coloured until over 90% of theirskin instead of 60 to 70% for ‘MAILLARFLAT’ fruits. ‘FLATPRINCESSE’presents more flowers, 45 flowers per meter instead of 40 flowers permeter for ‘MAILLARFLAT’. ‘FLATPRINCESSE’ fruit tastes the same as‘MAILLARFLAT’, semi sweet and aromatic, although evenness ofproductivity is better and regular.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new anddistinct variety of flat peach tree, the following has been observed, ifnot differently specified, during the second fruiting season under theecological conditions prevailing at the orchards located in Elne, in thePyrénées Orientales departement, France. All observations have been doneon rootstock cultivar. The rootstock was a ‘Franc Inra Montclar®’(unpatented) tree. All major color code designations are by reference toThe R.H.S. Color Chart (Fourth Edition) provided by The royalHorticultural Society of Great Britain.

TREE

-   Size:    -   -   Generally.—Considered medium to large as compared to other            common commercial flat peach cultivars ripening in the            middle season of maturity. The tree size the first year was            approximately 280 cm. The tree was pruned during each            following dormant season to a height of approximately            250 cm. Current season shoots growth could reach 80 cm. So            the tree size from the second year (second and next years)            reached a final height of 330 cm with current season shoots            length comprised.-   Spread: Approximately 200 cm with a cylindrical shape. The whole    orchard was oriented to a central leader organisation, with tree    lines spaced of 4.0 meters and trees spaced of 1.0 meter in a same    tree line. As a result, the orchard contains 2500 trees by hectare.-   Vigor: Considered very vigorous.-   Productivity: Very Productive. Fruit set is spaced by thinning to    develop the remaining fruit into the desired market sized fruit. The    number of the fruit set varies with the prevailing climatic    conditions, and cultural practices employed during the bloom period,    and is therefore not distinctive of the present variety.-   Bearer: Very regular. Fruit set has been heavy during the years of    observation and thinning of 1 fruit on 3 was useful every year    during the past 5 years. Fruit have an important magnifying    potential.-   Form: The ‘FLATPRINCESSE’ variety has naturally a semi-upright    shape.-   Density: Considered dense.-   Hardiness: The present tree was grown and evaluated in France. The    variety appears to be hardy under typical central Pyrénées    Orientales departement climatic conditions. Experimentations on    different sites with winter chilling requirement comprised between    350 and 1200 hours showed a good behavior of the tree in all cases.    Ascertained temperatures as low as −12 degrees Celsius caused no    damages to the tree. The tree was also very resistant to frosty    springtime weather.

TRUNK

-   Diameter: Approximately between 7.0 and 8.0 cm in diameter when    measured at a distance of approximately 30 cm above the soil level.-   Bark texture: Considered slightly rough, with folds of papery    scarfskin being present.-   Lenticels: Numerous lenticels are present. The lenticels range in    size from approximately 0.5 cm in width, and from 0.1 to 0.2 cm in    height.-   Lenticel colour: The outside of lenticels has a silver-grey color    (varying from RHS Grey 201 D to RHS Black 202 D), whereas the inside    is considered brown (RHS Greyed Orange 166B).-   Bark colouration: The bark has a silver-grey color a little darker    than the lenticels (varying from RHS Grey 201 C to RHS Black 202 C).

BRANCHES

-   Size: Mature branches as well as current season shoots are medium to    thick for the variety.-   Diameter: Average as compared to other flat peach varieties. The    current season shoots have a diameter from 4.0 to 12.0 millimeters,    and branches of trees have a diameter comprised between 22.0 and    30.0 millimeters.-   Surface texture: Average, wood which is several years old has no    furrowed appearance.-   Crotch angles: Primary branches are considered variable, but the    crotch angles are generally around 70 degrees from the horizontal    axis. This particular characteristic is not considered distinctive    of the variety, however.-   Current season shoots:    -   -   Surface texture.—Substantially glabrous.-   Internode length: Generally 22.0 to 30.0 millimeters.-   Colour of mature branches: Medium grey-brown (varying from RHS Grey    Brown 199 C to B).-   Current seasons shoots:    -   -   Colour.—The color of new shoot tips is considered a light            green (varying from RHS Green 143 C to D) on lower part of            new shoot tips, whereas the upper part is colored in reddish            brown (varying from RHS Greyed Red 182 B to C), darkening            when more exposed to the sun.

LEAVES

-   Size: Considered large for the species. Leaf measurements have been    taken from vigorous, upright, current-season growth at approximately    mid-shoot. The ratio leaf length/leaf width is around 4.-   Leaf length: Approximately 170 to 190 millimeters without the    petiole.-   Leaf width: Approximately 40 to 50 millimeters.-   Leaf base shape: Concave.-   Leaf form: Lanceolate.-   Leaf tip form: Acuminate and small.-   Leaf colour:    -   -   Upper leaf surface.—Dark Green (RHS Green 137 A).        -   Lower surface.—Medium Green (varying from RHS Green 137 B to            137 C).-   Leaf texture: Smooth and glabrous.-   Leaf venation: Pinnately veined.-   Mid-vein:    -   -   Colour.—Light yellow green (RHS Yellow Green 145 D).-   Leaf margins: Slightly undulating.-   Form: Considered slightly dentate.-   Uniformity: Leaves are isolated or grouped by 2 or 3. In this last    case, it is found one leaf of normal size with one or two smaller    leaves (size-reduction of 50 % and more).-   Leaf glands:    -   -   Size.—Considered medium to large, between 1.5 and 2.0            millimeters.        -   Number.—Generally between 3 and 4.        -   Type.—Reniform.        -   Colour.—On young leaves, leaf glands color is considered a            pale green (RHS Green 145 B). On older leaves, leaf glands            color turns to a dark brown (varying from RHS Grey Brown 199            A to 199 B).-   Leaf stipules:    -   -   Generally.—No leaf stipules were observed. But as seen in            the characteristic relative to the leaves uniformity, it is            possible to find leaves by groups of 2 or 3, with a            normal-size leaf and smaller ones.

FLOWERS

-   -   -   Generally.—Observations have been made at the end of            blooming, on March 2, 2008.

-   Flower buds:    -   -   Generally.—At pre-floral stage of development, the floral            buds are conic in form with a round tip. Their form is            evolving until blooming, with variables dimensions. Just            before blooming, floral buds are approximately 10.0            millimeters wide and approximately 18.0 millimeters long.

-   Flower buds:    -   -   Colour.—This characteristic is dependent upon the proximity            to bloom. At pre-floral stage of development, the bottom of            the flowers buds, formed by sepals, is of purple- brown            color (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A); the corolla, formed by            petals, is generally of pale pink color (varying from RHS            Red Purple 65 A to B). Petals color shows an evolution until            the end of flowering. The buds are considered hardy under            typical central Pyrénées Orientales departement climatic            conditions.

-   Hardiness: No winter injury was noted during the last several years    of evaluation in the central Pyrénées Orientales departement, with    winter temperatures as low as −12 degrees Celsius in January. The    current variety has not been intentionally subjected to drought or    heat stress, but the variety showed a very good resistance in    orchard to temperatures up to 42 degrees Celsius with an average    temperature between 28 and 30 degrees Celsius during 3 weeks in    summer.

-   Date of bloom: Generally March. The first bloom, observed on Feb.    26, 2002, was exceptionally early. Second and third bloom took place    respectively on March 10, 2003 and Mar. 7, 2004.

-   Blooming time: Considered early-season in relative comparison to    other commercial nectarine cultivars grown in the    Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. The date of full bloom is    observed on March, more particularly between March 3th and 18th. The    date of bloom varies slightly with climatic conditions and cultural    practices.

-   Duration of bloom: Approximately 15 days. This characteristic varies    slightly with the prevailing climatic conditions.

-   Flower type: The variety is considered to have a showy type flower.

-   Flower size: Considered large. Flower diameter at full bloom is    approximately 32.0 to about 37.0 millimeters.

-   Bloom quantity: Considered abundant, approximately about 45 flowers    per meter.

-   Flower bud frequency: Generally 2 flower buds appear per node,    occasionally 1.

-   Petal size:    -   -   Generally.—Considered medium for the species.

-   Length: Generally about 18.0 millimeters.

-   Width: Generally about 15.6 millimeters.

-   Petal form: Rounded.

-   Petal count: 5.

-   Petal texture: Smooth and glabrous.

-   Petal colour: Medium Pink (RHS Red Purple 65 B) when young,    darkening with advancing senescence.

-   Fragrance: Slight.

-   Petal claw:    -   -   Form.—The claw is considered to have a conic form with a            slighty rounded extremity.        -   Length.—Approximately 5.0 to 6.0 millimeters.        -   Width.—Approximately 4.0 to 5.0 millimeters.

-   Petal margins: Generally very slightly undulated.

-   Petal apex:    -   -   Generally.—The petal apices are generally entire at the tip,            dome-shaped.

-   Flower pedicel:    -   -   Length.—Considered medium-long and having an average length            of approximately 3.0 to 4.0 millimeters.        -   Diameter.—Considered average, approximately 2.0 millimeters.        -   Colour.—Brown to Light Brown (varying from RHS Grey Brown            N199 C to D).

-   Floral nectaries:    -   -   Colour.—A greenish yellow (ranging from RHS Yellow Group 13            A to B to RHS Yellow Green 150 A to B).

-   Calyx:    -   -   Internal surface texture.—Smooth and glabrous.        -   Color.—The outer surface of the calyx is considered of            Purple-brown (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A) color.

-   Sepals:    -   -   Surface texture.—The outer surface has a short, fine            pubescent texture.        -   Size.—Average.        -   Colour.—A Purple-brown (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A).

-   Average number of stamens per flower: Approximately 40 stamens per    flower.

-   Anthers:    -   -   Generally.—Average in length.        -   Color.—Orange-Yellow (varying from RHS Yellow Orange 16 A to            B). Anthers are becoming brown after maturity (RHS Greyed            Purple Group 178 A).

-   Pollen production: Pollen is abundant, and has a yellow color    (varying from RHS Yellow Orange 17 B to C). The present variety is    considered self fruitful (self-pollinating).

-   Filaments:    -   -   Size.—Variable in length, approximately 11.0 to 18.0            millimeters in length. In all cases filament's length is            superior or equal to pistil's length.

-   Color: Considered light pink (varying from RHS Red Purple 62 C to D)    to darker pink (varying from RHS Red Purple 73 A to B) with    advancing senescence.

-   Pistil:    -   -   Number.—Generally 1.        -   Generally.—Average in size.        -   Length.—Approximately 12.0 to 15.0 millimeters including the            ovary; Smaller or equal to filament's length.        -   Colour.—Considered a very pale green (varying from RHS            Yellow Green 150 D Group to RHS Yellow Green 151 D Group).        -   Surface texture.—The variety has a glabrous pistil.

FRUIT

-   Maturity when described: Very firm ripe condition (shipping ripe).-   Date of first picking: Aug. 16, 2002. The date of harvest varies    slightly with the prevailing climatic conditions.-   Date of last picking: Aug. 23, 2002, only 2 harvests were necessary.-   Size:    -   -   Generally.—Considered large, and uniform.-   Average cheek diameter: Approximately 70.0 to 80.0 millimeters-   Average axial diameter: Approximately 37.0 to 45.0 millimeters-   Typical weight: Approximately between 150.0 and 200.0 grams. This    characteristic is high dependent upon the prevailing cultural    practices, and therefore is not particularly distinctive of the    variety.-   Fruit form:    -   -   Generally.—Flat and rounded. The fruit is generally uniform            in symmetry, viewed from pistil end.-   Fruit suture: Shallow, extending from the base to the apex. No    apparent callousing or stitching exists along the suture line.-   Suture:    -   -   Colour.—This has generally a color similar to the blush            fruit color, an Orange Red (varying from RHS Orange Red            Group 34 A to B).-   Ventral surface:    -   -   Form.—Smooth.-   Apex: Depressed.-   Base: Shallow.-   Stem cavity: Average depth of the stem cavity is about 0.5 to    0.6 cm. Average width is about 1.2 to 1.5 cm.-   Fruit skin:    -   -   Thickness.—Considered thick and strong, and very tenacious            to the flesh to tenacious to the flesh depending on stage of            maturity.        -   Texture.—Slightly pubescent.        -   Taste.—Semi-sweet.        -   Tendency to crack.—Generally not observed.-   Colour:    -   -   Blush colour.—This blush colour is generally homogenous and            Orange Red (varying from RHS Orange Red Group 34 A to B).            The red blush covers between 80% and 90% of the fruit skin            surface. The percentage of the blush on the fruit skin            surface can vary, and is generally dependant upon the            prevailing conditions under which the fruit was grown.        -   Ground colour.—Yellow Orange (RHS Yellow Orange Group 18 D).-   Fruit stem: Medium in length, approximately between 4.0 and 5.0    millimeters.-   Diameter: Approximately between 3.0 and 4.0 millimeters.-   Colour: Pale green (varying from RHS Yellow Green 145A to 145 B).-   Flesh:    -   -   Ripens.—Very evenly, homogenous, long shelf-life of the            fruit.        -   Texture.—Very firm, very dense, juicy at harvest maturity            stage.        -   Fibers.—Generally none observed.        -   Aroma.—Pronouced.        -   Eating quality.—Considered very good, aromatic.        -   Flavor.—Considered semi-sweet. The Brix is superior to 13.0            degrees. Acidity is comprised between 6 and 9 meq/100ml. The            flavor is considered aromatic. The flesh is juicy.        -   Juice.—Jucy to very juicy at complete maturity.        -   Brix.—Generally superior to 13.0 degrees. This            characteristic varies slightly with the number of fruit per            tree; prevailing cultural practices; and the surrounding            climatic conditions, and can be much more higher.        -   Flesh colour.—White (RHS White Group N155D) with a slight            red pigmentation under the skin and close to the stone.

STONE

-   Type: Semi-clingstone.-   Size: Considered small for the variety.-   Length: Approximately between 20.0 and 25.0 millimeters.-   Width: Approximately between 20.0 and 24.0 millimeters.-   Diameter: Approximately between 12.0 and 15.0 millimeters.-   Form: Flat.-   Base: Straight.-   Apex:    -   -   Shape.—The stone apex has a flat tip.-   Stone Cavity: Considered small size, with dimensions corresponding    to stone's dimensions.-   Stone surface:    -   -   Surface texture.—The pit is transversely furrowed on its            entire surface. Furrows are more pronounced and more flat            toward lateral faces.        -   Ridges.—The surface texture is generally characterized by            more prominent ridges along the ventral edges and is more            prominent at the apical tip.-   Ventral edge:    -   -   Width.—Considered small.-   Dorsal edge:    -   -   Shape.—Grooved.-   Stone colour: The color of the dry stone is generally considered an    Orange to Red Brown (varying from RHS Greyed Orange 173 C to D).-   Tendency to split: Splitting is absent or very low, depending on    climatic conditions between blooming period and stone hardening.-   Kernel:    -   -   Size.—The kernel is considered small.        -   Length.—About 7.0 millimeters.        -   Thickness.—About 5.0 millimeters.        -   Form.—Considered flat and and elliptic.        -   Pellicle.—Pubescent.        -   Colour.—The kernel skin is a light yellowish orange (RHS            Greyed Orange 166 C). The almond is cream-white (RHS Orange            Chite 159 D). The kernel and its embryo are mature at the            time of fruit maturity.-   Use: The subject variety ‘FLATPRINCESSE’ is considered to be a    nectarine tree of the medium season of maturity, and which produces    fruit that are considered very firm, attractively coloured. Fruits    are excellent for uncooked consumption, crunchy or at full maturity,    and very aromatic. They are useful for both local and very long    distance shipping, with a shelf life of few weeks after harvest.-   Keeping quality: Good. Fruit stayed a little more than one week on    tree before harvest and then, has stored well until 2 to 3 weeks    after harvest at 2.0 degree Celsius. They have a slow maturation and    a long shelf life both on the tree after growth completion and after    harvesting without alteration.-   Shipping quality: Considered good. The fruit of the new flat peach    variety showed minimal bruising of the flesh or skin damage after    being subjected to normal harvesting and packing procedures.-   Resistance to insects and disease: No particular susceptibilities    were noted. The present variety has not been shown to be very    sensitive to powdery mildew, or conservation diseases and decay due    to its thick and strong skin.

Although the new variety of flat peach tree possesses the describedcharacteristics when grown under the ecological conditions prevailingnear the town of ELNE, FRANCE, it should be understood that variationsof the usual magnitude and characteristics incident to changes ingrowing conditions, fertilization, pruning, pest control andhorticultural management are to be expected.

1. A new and distinct variety of peach tree, as herein illustrated anddescribed.